_________________And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')

Nothing. Presumably used for availability and price, but it's basically a mass market, lower-end choice with pearwood and maple recorders typically impregnated with paraffin wax for preservation and stability where harder/denser woods don't require this and are normally oiled instead.

Before the arrival of tropical hardwoods in Europe, fruitwood (usually pear) and boxwood were two of the densest close-grained woods available to Europeans. Thus, they were used to make recorders. Several hundred years later, the tradition continues, despite the availability of denser tropical hardwoods.

*And flutes, pipes, etc. At the time, there was no better wood available.

_________________And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')

C.S. Lewis

Last edited by s1m0n on Thu May 25, 2017 7:54 am, edited 3 times in total.

I would say availability. Especially as the flute/whistle is a folk instrument and in earlier times commoners would make use of the materials around them. And I dont think Pear was a particularly sacred tree (unlike Yew or Rowan)

Coincidence- I'm having an all pear wood epinette des Vosges being made for me right now. I chose pear wood mostly because that's the wood of the antique original museum instrument that my epinette is based on. Also for pear wood sentimental reasons. Should be finished in a few weeks. The color of pear wood is delightful as well. Can't wait!

Coincidence- I'm having an all pear wood epinette des Vosges being made for me right now. I chose pear wood mostly because that's the wood of the antique original museum instrument that my epinette is based on. Also for pear wood sentimental reasons. Should be finished in a few weeks. The color of pear wood is delightful as well. Can't wait!

Coincidence- I'm having an all pear wood epinette des Vosges being made for me right now. I chose pear wood mostly because that's the wood of the antique original museum instrument that my epinette is based on. Also for pear wood sentimental reasons. Should be finished in a few weeks. The color of pear wood is delightful as well. Can't wait!